BANYULE APPOINT NEW COACH

Andrew Leonard

Banyule Amateur Football club are delighted to announce the appointment of Craig Hayes as their senior coach for the 2013 season. 
The Bears are excited by the appointment of Hayes as he comes to the club with vast experience as the former assistant coach of VFL side Northern Bullants as well as time spent at power Northern Football Leauge clubs Heidelberg and Eltham. 
In a completely new coaching panel, Hayes will be joined at the club by new Under 19s coach Mark Spinoso who arrives from Old Paradians and the new reserves coach is former club trainer Craig Thorton-Grimes. 
Banyule were in the Premier C finals race for most of the season in 2012 until they fell out of finals contention late in the year. 
The club, so often poached of its talented youngsters who take promises of money in other leagues believe the addition of Hayes might even seduce some players back to the club. 
President Joe Amalfi was overwhelmed with the applications the club received proving the club was in a good position to progress through the grades. 
Amalfi said, “We are very excited by all the new coaching appopintments and what each individual can bring to the club”. 
“We obviously would like to thank Rick (departing coach Rick Brockwell) for his service over the past three years and we look forward to his move to the committee to ensure Banyule forges ahead in the VAFA”, said Amalfi.
Banyule held their best and fairest count on Sunday 23rd September at the club where Adam Barclay took home the honours of both the club MVP and Senior Best and Fairest in 2012. 
The awards capped off a great year for Barclay who started in tremendous fashion kicking 8 goals for the Big V Premier C-Div 4 side against the EFL in March in a best on ground display.
Christian Buckley took out the Reserves Best and Fairest and the Thirds award went to Dean Nichols. 
In other club news two new life memberships were awarded and congratulations must go to John Stanton and Keith Mills. 
Banyule’s pre-season training starts on 12th November and all new players are welcome at the club, for detail on how to contact the club head to http://www.banyulebears.com/.